David McCovery was left homeless without money or a phone five years ago. He offered to drive his brother's friend from Mississippi to San Diego but had his car and belongings stolen

A pair of Good Samaritans in California have reunited a homeless man with his family who thought he was dead after five years lost in another state.

David McCovery found himself living on the streets after he drove his brother's friend from Mississippi to San Diego to see his daughter but had his car stolen and had to survive without a phone or money.

The man, now 61, had recently suffered a stroke and forgot the contact details of his loved ones but it was the help of a kind couple last week that enabled him to see them again.

After recently having a stroke he was confused and unable to find family until 'angels' helped

Claudette and Alicia Clark found him outside Costco in San Diego and heard his story

Claudette Clark and her wife Alicia spotted him sleeping rough outside a Costco store in San Diego and heard the story of how he became confused.

McCovery had been trying to make a life for himself after a stint in prison and they bought him some shoes for his swelling feet.

'He was hobbling and only had one shoe,' Alicia told ABC 10. 'Claudette asked if he needed anything else, and he said, 'I just want to go home.'

After sharing his story on Facebook last Friday, which was shared 4,000 times, and creating a GoFundMe page Saturday that had raised $1,130 of an $800 goal by Wednesday afternoon, the power of social media helped them finally connect.

Clark wrote on social media as they hunted for his relatives: 'I need your help finding his sister, so we can get him home. Her name is Lelia Mae. Her last name may be Johnson, Kirkland, McClain, or Mitchell. She is about 59 years old. He says she is/was married to Robert McClain.'

The couple brought him clothes, food and sheltered and posted on social media

Within 24 hours they'd found family but his sister who search for him had died. A GoFundMe page helped raise money to fly him home and treat his swollen foot

'We found Mr. David on the streets of San Diego. He is a joyous man although he is injured, homeless and living under the bushes on the streets,' Clark's Facebook post read.

Only 24 hours later they were able to locate his family. However his sister who had gone to California to look for him, sadly passed away before she had any luck.

'We found his family (Hallelujah!!!) in Moss Point, Mississippi,' Clark posted on the crowdfunding website. She added his other relatives 'had presumed him to be dead, when they couldn't find him'.

'Now that they are aware that he is alive, they are welcoming him with open arms' Clark continued.

It's been an emotional experience for the spouses. Alicia said, 'I've never shed so many tears'

Alicia said: 'One sister, who thought he was dead, couldn't even connect in her mind it was David ... Then they just started screaming and crying'.'

'FB helped us find his family in Moss Point, Ms and now we need help getting him cleaned up, fed, clothed and on the plane home.'

They got him cleaned up, bought him clothes, gave him money to buy a few meals and paid for accommodation for him to get a good night's rest. All with the help of people who heard the heartwarming story.

'It is cold and wet in San Diego right now (below 50), and our desire is to put him in a motel room, get him food, a hot shower (which he said he desperately desires), clean clothes and a plane ticket home!' they explained. 'Due to his condition with his legs, it would be in his best interest to get him there quickly, rather than a long, arduous bus ride. Plus, the plane ticket is less expensive than the bus.'

However they had one more obstacle after gathering enough to fly him out of the state.

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The 61-year-old is now acclimatizing with his relatives who thought he was dead

On Tuesday Clark updated followers who had donated online: 'As of right now Mr. David is secure from the elements in his hotel room, he is warm and still in good spirits. However, his left foot and leg are extremely swollen. So, we are at the hospital, awaiting medical clearance to fly ✈️. 'If all is well, hopefully, Mr. David will be in the friendly sky's on his way to his family tomorrow.'

McCovery shared how he 'never thought it would happen to me' and admitted he 'just wanted to give up'. However his faith in god got him through the hardship and called the spouses his 'angels'.

'I thought I would be stuck for the rest of my life ... something in me wouldn't let me give up,' he continued. 'I can't wait, can't wait ... Full of joy right now.'

The life-changing encounter was emotional for the women who helped him too with Alicia saying, 'I've never shed so many tears.'

'David is home and resting well! We are leaving this GoFundme site available for more donations although we reached our goal,' she shared. 'After 5 years David has some acclimating & day-to-day needs while he waits for his leg to heal. This site is here for those who are interested in continuing to donate, thank you.'